Schards#2 Personally, I find it hard to believe that:
a) Coppell became the only manager in history to choose not to spend money that was made available
b) Madejski, having offered Coppell riches beyond the dreams of avarice, completely U turned to the extent that future managers are offered nothing at all other than the oppotunity to reinvest about 10-15% of anything raised by sales
Both scenarios seem unlikely, particularly compared to the other, entirely plausible, scenario that Madejski did not make funds available to Coppell.
a) Wenger for one, and apparently Fergie too.
b) The way the club is run has changed quite a bit for various reasons plus the money that was available wasn't earth shattering amounts, just enough from within the budgets set out to bring in 2 or 3 Premier League players.
It's not rocket sicence.